Comparação da entorse lateral de tornozelo em atletas de futebol e basquetebol

Lateral ankle sprain is a common musculoskeletal injury in sports, particularly in soccer and basketball, which can impair athletic performance and predispose individuals to recurrent episodes. This study aimed to compare lateral ankle sprains in these two sports, examining incidence, injury mechanisms, treatment strategies, and recurrence. It is an integrative literature review—bibliographic, descriptive, and comparative in nature—conducted through searches in the PubMed, SciELO, and PEDro databases, as well as Google Scholar. The review included articles published between 2016 and 2026, in Portuguese or English, concerning lateral ankle sprains in soccer and basketball athletes. Following the selection process, 16 articles were included in the review. The results revealed differences in injury mechanisms linked to the specific demands of each sport. In soccer, common scenarios included indirect contact, tackling, and changes in direction, whereas in basketball, injuries were primarily associated with landing and ankle inversion. Regarding treatment and prevention, the studies highlighted the benefits of physical therapy approaches that combine pain and edema management, restoration of range of motion, muscle strengthening, proprioceptive exercises, balance training, and progressive functional rehabilitation. Structured prevention programs also showed favorable results in reducing the occurrence of new injuries. However, the methodological heterogeneity of the studies and the lack of direct comparisons between the two sports made it impossible to determine which one carries a higher risk of lateral ankle sprain. It is concluded that physical therapy plays a fundamental role in the treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of recurrences, requiring interventions to be tailored to the specific characteristics and functional demands of each sport.